Boxing match deemed illegal – Mercer vs. Sylvia MMA fight headlines “Adrenaline III” June 13

The professional boxing match that was supposed to take place between Olympic Gold Medalist Ray “Merciless” Mercer (0-0) and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim “The Maniac” Sylvia (24-5) will now take place as a mixed martial arts fight according to a new Sherdog report.

The fight which will headline “Adrenaline III” at the BJCC Arena in Birmingham, Ala. on Saturday, June 13, 2009 has reportedly been deemed “illegal.”

“I got a call from the Pennsylvania commissioner saying that the boxing match is illegal because we weren’t getting regulated by a U.S. commission,” said Adrenaline MMA promoter and owner Monte Cox on Thursday.

Whether the “Merciless” one and “the Maniac” will make a “gentleman’s agreement” and only box is not known at this time. It seems quite likely since Tim Sylvia competing in an MMA fight with Ray Mercer would make even less sense than the proposed boxing match. At this point, if the two engage in any type of fight at all will be a near miracle.

Rich Clementi (32-14-1) will make his first appearance inside the cage since being cut from the UFC back in February. He will be taking on Sasuke Zapata. You won’t find Zapata’s name in Fight Finder however he is well known throughout Alabama and there is plenty of footage of him on Youtube. He has a background in Jeet Kun Do and trains with Team JKD out of Birmingham. His brother Juan is also on the card.

Jeremy Horn (80-19-5) will try to get back on the winning track after losing three in a row. Horn’s last bout was at UFC 93 against Rousimar Palhares in January where he lost by unanimous decision. Horn will be fighting Southerner Chris Davis.

Adrenaline III Pro Fight Card:
Ray Mercer vs. Tim Sylvia
Sasuke Zapata vs. Rich Clementi
Chris Davis vs. Jeremy Horn
Juan Zapata vs. Joe Jordan
Keith Johnson vs. Nick Rossborough
John Salter vs. Roberto Traven
Josh Martin vs. Tony Godbold
Josh Barnes vs. Brad Tidwell
Bryan Goldsby vs. Joey Maimberga
Tuan Pham vs. Sean Hall

Amateur Bouts:
Justin Trawick vs. Brandon Esch
Keith Cunagin vs. Robert Rodda
Daniel Ritchie vs. Adrian Miles
Ron Mitchell vs. Brandon Powell
Barry Clifford vs. Matt Smart